Panama Papers: Pakistan Supreme Court's stand on Nawaz Sharif is a 'win', claim supporters and detractors

With the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordering a probe into charges of corruption and seeking a report in two months in the high-profile case involving Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, the public and political leaders in Pakistan, depending on which side they belong to, remained split like the verdict, with both hailing it as a “win” for their camp. A third camp, however, was dejected at the decision and labelled it as something that was expected. Soon after the news of a joint investigation team being ordered in the case what is called the Panama case today, was announced, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, daughter of the Pakistan premiere took to Twitter championing the announcement:

Praise & glory be to Allah alone. Shukrana & mubariks 😍 pic.twitter.com/yM92bIJJoc

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 20, 2017

Earlier today, she had thanked all the supporters on Twitter as well. “Whatever the verdict, am amazed and humbled to see the overwhelming support for Nawaz Sharif. For a leader, that’s the most prized possession,” she had tweeted. Pakistan Muslim League — Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Federal Minister for Water and Power and Defence, Pakistan, Khawaja M Asif also expressed his joy on the verdict. He tweeted:

Pakistani journalist Syed Talat Hussain questioned those who had forecasted doom for the Pakistan prime minister. He said, “What becomes of all the pundits, paid pipers, crystal ball gazers forecasting doom?” He added: “A sitting prime minister will now appear before a JIT that will have, among others, members of Military Intelligence and ISI.” However, those in Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) camp, a political party led by former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan, and who had strongly supported going to court, called the verdict a “win” as well. Khan was pictured celebrating with sweets by GeoTV’s Murtaza Ali Shah.

Addressing a media conference outside his residence, Khan demanded that Sharif resigns from his post as prime minister till the JIT probe is complete, Samaa TV said. “Sharif has no moral authority to be the prime minister since a criminal investigation will take place on him,” Khan said, adding that the officers who are going to be part of the probe on Sharif and his family are likely to be under him, and won’t be able to function properly if remains the prime minister. Khan also took to Twitter demanding Sharif’s resignation. He said:

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The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also demanded the resignation of Sharif. Speaking to local TV channels, Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman, PPP said. “I Know Nawaz Sharif personally. He will never resign. He must resign on moral grounds.” He added: “I salute the judges who declared Prime Minister Sharif’s ineligible to rule.” However, PPP also took the opportunity to lambast PTI for taking the matter to the Supreme Court, and weakening the case. PPP’s Sherry Rehman tweeted:

Murtaza Ali Shah seconded that opinion. He tweeted:

Saeed Ghani of PPP expressed his displeasure on the verdict. “Is this judgement that can be remembered for 20 years? Or for centuries? As claimed by two members of the bench on two different occasions,” he said on Twitter. Another journalist Salman Masood commented:

The Pakistan Supreme Court said that it will give a final verdict only after the Joint Investigation Team submits its report after two months. Nawaz Sharif may be taking a sigh of relief, but considering it might turn out to be transient several members of the opposition parties including Khan questioned the celebration at Sharif’s camp.